Washing machine



Jan. 5, 1932. E.- J. PERRY 1,840,172

WASHING uhcnxm FiledJuly 1, 1926 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 KQQ 5 Jan. 5, 1932.

E. J. PERRY 1,840,172

WASHING MACHIN E Filed July 1, 1926 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 61km not Jan. 5, 1932. r PERRY 1,840,172

WASHING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1932. E. J. PERRY WASHING MACHINE Filed July 1, 192? '7 Sheets-Sheet 4' m n M Jan. 5, 1932. E. J. PERRY WASHING MACHINE v Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 1, 1926 Jan. 5, 1932. E, PERRY 1,840,172

WASHING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 gmenkoz I Enanael J P2173! Jan. 5, 1932. E. J. PERRY WASHING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 site end of the machine.

Fig. is an enlarged sectionalview of the Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES.

PATENT orr cr.

EMANUEL J'. PERRY, OF NEW BEDFORD MASSAOHUSETTS, ASSIG NOB TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NORTWOOD, OHIO, A CORPORATION LF'OHIO wasnn've mcnnm Application filed m 1, 192.6. Serial No. 119,944.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for lifting the washin cylinder to and from the casing of the mac ine. k

The invention more particularly relates. to a washing machine having improved control means for controlling the sourceof power to the machine whereby the washingcylinder will, upon the disconnection of the power thereto, be arrested in its movement in a centered position and locked in such position whereby the garments will readily dump by gravity when the cylinder is lifted from the casing.

The control mechanism forming a part of this invention, while particularly applicable for use in connection with washing machines,

is also useful in connection with other machines where a cylinder is rotated in a casing, and also where it may be desirable to lift the cylinder from the casing.

The invention more particularly relates to control mechanism for a washing machine of the general type disclosed in detail in my copending application, Serial No. 50,076, filed August/1'3, 1925.

In the accompanying drawings, 7

Fig. 1 illustrates an end elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 illustrates the front elevation.

Fig. 3 illustrates the reareiejation.

Fig. 4 illustrates the elevationef\the opporaising and lowering control mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7'7-of Fig. 5.

.Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional 50 view of the driving mechanism.

ect of the invention to provide- Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view thereof on line 9 of Fig. 8.

' Fig.- 10 is an enlarged section of the cylinder driving connectlon.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevation of the rotation control mechanism.

, Fig. 12 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 13 is a transverse section thereof.

Fig. 14-is a similar view;

Fig. 15 is a detail-view of the spring pulley structure.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the brake mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a detail cross sectional view of the cylinder and casing and illustrates the mounting for the casing closure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates a washing casing having the usual supportinglegs, etc. In this casing ,there is disposed a rotating washing cylinder 2. This cylinder is referably perforated. The casing has a s idable closure or door 3, while the cylinder likewise has a hingedsliding door by means of which the contents thereof may be discharged. It will be understood, of course, that the closure or door 3 is slidable in suitable guide channels formed in the framework of the hinged casing section 77, this section bein in turn hinged to the main casing 1 as in 'cated at 77 in Figures '1, 3, and 4 of the drawings. The hinged sliding door forming a part of the rotary washing cylinder is of a construction common to this type of machine but is shown in detail in Fig. 17 a The washing cylinder is provided with a pair of stub axles 4 journalled in suitable earings formedin thelifting segihents 5 one segment being disposed at eac side of the machine. Each segment is pivoted on a bearing 6 at one end thereof to. the casing of the machine, while the peripheral portion of each segmentis provided with gear teeth 7. Each segment, as before stated, is provided with bearings receiving bearin extensionsprojecting from the rotating cyhnder 2.

- In machines of this character, it is customary to alternately rotate the cylinderin opposite directions for the purpose of washing the clothes contained therein. To rotate this cylinder, a motor 8 is provided which is connected with a. current in such a manner that its armature shaft 9 alternately rotates in one direction and then the other. This armature shaft includes a loose splice or connection 94 for permitting a limited sliding movement and carries thereon a keyed gear 10. The gear 10 is disposed within the housing 11. In this housing there is also a gear 12 keyed to the shaft 13 which extends longitudinally of the machine at the rear thereof and carries at its outer ends gears 14 around which the sprocket chains 15 travel, said chains also engaging the teeth of gears 16 on a shaft 17 extending across the machine, which shaft in turn carries gears 18 penetrating recesses or slots in the back of the machine casing. and meshing with the teeth of the gears 21 which are mounted at each end of the washing cylinder. These gears 21 are endless, and the rotation of the armature shaft therefore rotates the cylinder within the casing. By this mechanism, the washing cylinder is rotated, its rotation in opposite directions being secured by reason of the electrical connection with the motor in a manner which is well known in the art.

To utilize the motor 8, to raise the washing cylinder from the casing to the position shown in Fig. 1, a shaft 22 is connected with the end of the armature shaft, the connection being of a-characterto causethe armature shaft to be moved longitudinally but permitting the shaft to rotate relative to the shaft 22. It will be observed that a hand lever 23 is pivoted at one side of the machine and that this lever is connected by a link 24 with the shaft 22. Mounted on the frame of the machine is a'casting 25 having a cam-way slot 26 therein into which a pin 27 on the shaft 22 projects. Obviously, upon a shifting of the lever, this cam slot and pin causes the shaft 22 to be moved longitudinally, in turn moving the armature shaft and the gear 10 thereon. The movement of this lever therefore shifts gear 10 out of mesh with the gear 12 and into mesh with the gear 28. This gear 28 carries a sleeve 29 to which there is fitted a bevel gear 30 in turn meshing with a beveled gear 31 on the shaft 32, driving a worm 33, and meshing with a gear 34 on a shaft 35. The shaft 35 at each end carries a gear 36 which meshes with a reduction gear 37 which reduction gear in turn meshes with the peripheral teeth 7 of the segments 5. Obviously, when the lever 23 is moved, say, to a forward position, .the gears are meshed as herein described, and when current is permitted to pass to the motor, the washing cylinder will be lifted from the casing. The passage of the current to the motor is controlled by a depending element 38, movable with the 55 shaft 22, which is connected by a slot connection with a switch 39, this switch, when moved to its right-hand position in Fig. 2, serving to close the circuit to permit the current to pass to the motor. It only reaches this position when the lever 23 has been operated to engage the gears 10 and 28 or, in otherwords, to throw the proper gears-into mesh to lift the washing cylinder from the machine.

The gears 10, 12 and 28 are suitably housed as by means of a casing 11 embracing said gears and the shafts 9 and 13 with which they are associated as clearly illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. It is also apparent from these figures that casing 11 has a laterally ofi'set downward extension 11' which embraces shaft 35 and houses gears 33 and 534. Referring to Figs. 3 and 9, it will be apparent that this lower portion 11 of housing 11 extends downwardly at the rear of the machine and is supported by the center casing supporting standard. An automatic circuit controlling mechanism is housed in a suitable casing 44 disposed at the rear of the machine and suitably supported in position to be actuated by shaft 35 through gears 42 and 43.

It will be furthermore appreciated that a pair of control buttons 40 and 41 are provided, the button 40 being pressed to close the circuit to rotate the motor 8 in a direction to lift the washing cylinder from the casing, while an operation of the button 41 reverses the rotation of the motor to lower the washing cylinder into the casing, it being appreciated that in each of these circuits, a switch 39 is provided, so that either circuit cannot be completed until the gears are properly meshed.

It will be appreciated that the washing cylinder rises to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 1, and that it also must be lowered into the casing. Mechanism is therefore provided for stopping this cylinder when it reaches its open position and also when it reaches its closed position. lVith this in mind, the shaft 35 carries a gear 42 which meshes with a gear 43 on a threaded shaft 44 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This shaft 44 carries a nut 45 which is maintained against a rotary movement by rods 46 passing through apertures in the nut. The rods 46 are disposed on either side of the threaded shaft 44 and in parallel relation therewith and have their ends mounted in the end walls of the switch control casing. The nut carries forward and rear switch braking lugs 47. It will be appreciated that at one end of the shaft 44 a switch mechanism 48 is provided. At the. other end, a switch mechanism 49 is provided. As soon as the push button 40 has been operated to raise the cylinder from the machine, and just as soon as the traveling nut 45 reaches the switch 48, it shifts the movable switch arm. breaking this circuit. This brings the motor to a halt, and at a time when the washing cylinder occupies a raised position. When the switch button 41 is op erated, however, the current then passes to the motor through a second circuit so that the motor is operated, and the nut 44 travels rearwardly until it is lug engages the movable arm of the switch 49. This causes an operation of this switch, breaking the circuit which occurs at a time when the washing cy'l-' inder is lowered in the casing.

The present invention has particular reference to a control mechanism for stopping the rotation of the washing cylinder, and for centering and locking this cylinder in its desired position. If the contents of the washing cylinder have been sufiiciently treated, and it is desired to remove them from the washing machine, the lever is grasped and moved from the full line position A to the dotted lineposition B in Fig. 11. This lever is loosely mounted on a shaft 51, carried by the housing or casing of the machine. The lever travels throughwa cam slot 52 in the housing 53 so that a. movement toward the operator shifts the lever laterally to the right, (Fig. 13) The lever has a connection with a dog 54 so that this dog shifts with the lever but is permitted,to oscillate independently of the lever. This connection between the lever 50 and the dog 54 may be of any suit- .able type. As an example, the lever may be provided with an annular radially projecting flange spaced axially a sufficient distance to fit in an annular internal groove formed in the dog. This connection will cause the dog to move axially with the lever and will permit the dog and lever to have relative annular movement. The dog 54 is connected by a link 55 with a disc 56 keyed to the shaft 40f the washing cylinder so that it constantly reciproeates during the rotation of this cylinder. This dog furthermore carries a lug 57 rigidly fitted to the one side .face thereof. A second dog 58 is also losely mounted on the shaft 51. This dog also carries a locking plate 59. The dog 58 is connected by a lever 60 with the rod 61 by a coupling 62.

I This rod 61 connects at its opposite end through a coupling 63 with an arm secured to a rock shaft 66 which is journaled in brackets secured to the motor support. An arm 66 is secured to shaft 66 ata pointin'termediate the ends of the latter and is adapted to coact with the switch arm 64 protruding from switch box 64. The end of shaft 66 opposite arm 65 has fixed thereto an arm 66" connected through suitable linkage tothe I contracting brake band 67 fitting around the drum 68 on the armature shaft of the motor.

This brake is normally maintained by the spring 69 in an inoperative position, but when the rod 61 is shifted. the band is tightly drawn around the surface of the drum 68. When the lever 50 is moved to the dotted line position B, the locking faces 57 and 59 of the dogs 54 and 58 are brought into aligning'paths so that a movement of the dog 54, imparted'thereto by the link 55, oscillates the dog 58. This causes an operation of the connecting rod 61*which in turn rocks shaft.

66, thereby breaking the motor circuit through switch 64 and-bringing the motor shaft and associated mechanism to a stop by means of brake '67. At this time, the

washing cylinder has come to a halt where the opening 69 in the disk 56 is in alignment with the locking bolt 70 as shown in Fig. 2.

The parts are so arranged that the washing a cylinder will cease its movement so that this lock opening 69 is in alignment with the locking bolt 70. This is becauseof the positioning of the parts, the length of the rod 61 which has a turnbucklefiO therein by means of which its length can be adjusted so that the washing cylinder will always stop at the position shown in Fig. 11 when the power is disconnected bv the mechanism thus described. This disconnects the source of disc 56 keyed to the washing cylinder.

locks the washing cylinder in its centered position. It furthermore releases dog 58 from dog 54, thereby permitting spring 58 to return the dog 58 to its normal position and release the brake 67 [operating on the drum 68. When the parts are in this positions, it is apparent that all motion of the washing cylinder has ceased, and that this cylinder is centered and locked in a proper position so that when it is raised outward the casing 1, the discharge opening therein will be directed toward the floor of the laundry.

To raise the cylinder from the machine, the operating lever 23 is then pushed forward. This shifts the shaft 22 through the pin and cam-Way connection 26 and 27 so that the gears 10 and 28 are brought into mesh. At this time, the switch plug 39 is operated, so that current may pass to the motor 8 through a circuit including switch 40 to rotate the armature shaft in a given direction. As the shaft 22 is shifted, and at the time the gear 10 is thrown into mesh with the 50 occupies a position corresponding to the dotted line position C in Fig. 11. During this raising movement, the nut 45 is'traveling on'the threaded shaft, and when this nut coacts with its switch lever, it serves to break the circuit, this occurring at the time the washing i.-iler reaches its downward position. anism should not work, the segments 5 carry stops T8 which coact with portions of the casings enclosing the gears 37 should the washing cylinder be moved outwardly to a posi tion beyond that at which the switch operating mechanism is set to come into play. At this time, the contents of the washing cylinder are discharged by gravity into waiting receptacles. To lower the cylinder in the casing, the switch a1 is operated, closing a second circuit to the motor 8, causing this motor to rotate in an opposite direction, and to lower the washing cylinder in the machine by the gearing heretofore described. The traveling nut 44 is shifted, during this movement, in a reverse direction, and when the washing cylinder is disposed within the easing, this nut breaks the electric circuitby operating the switch lever disposed in its path, stopping the operation of the motor. The hand lever 23 is then thrown to its neutral position, and the various closures of the apparatus moved to a closed position, it being assumed, of course, that a new supply of clothes has been deposited in the rotating cylinder. The machine is then ready for a second operation. The motor operating current can be introduced to the motor at this time when the lever 50 is in its neutral position, the lever 23 in its neutral position, and one of the switch buttons 40-41 operated, permitting the current to pass through the circuit and to the motor 8, whereupon the cylinder will rotate, first in one direction and then in the other, and will continue to so rotate until the control lever 50 is again oper ated.

It will be appreciated that by the control mechanism herein described, embodying the lever 50 and its associated parts, the movement of the cylinder can be arrested at any time and the cylinder will be" locked in a centered position. By merely shifting the lever, the dogs 54 and 58 are brought into operative relation, and the movement of the cylinder is imparted to the dog 58 by the dog 54 to slightly rotate this dog and shift the lever 60. This immediately breaks the circuit to the motor. The link 55 and the-rod 61 are so connected and are of such length that when the circuit is broken, the washing cylinder will be halted in its movement in a determined or proper centered position. When in this position, the lock receiving opening 69' is in alignment with the bolt 7 0.

When the switch 64 is operated to break the circuit to the motor, the forward movement of the hand lever 50 causes the cylinder to be locked in this centered position, and the.

brake, which had been previously applied on the movement of this lever toward the operator, is released.

The term centered as herein used is injmecaution, in the event this mech-- tended to designate a predetermined rotative position of the cylinder. It will be appreciated, of course, that it is desirable to stop the cylinder with its opening in substantial registration with the casing opening and that this is true regardless of whether the cylinder is to be removed from the casing. However, this feature is of particular importance in connection with a self-dumping machine since the discharge opening of the cylinder must be properly disposed in order to permit automatic discharge when the cylinder is in dumping position. It is this desired predetermined rotative position of the cylinder to which the term centered is herein applied.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a rotating washing cylinder therein, means for supporting the cylinder for movement into and from the casing, power operated driving means for rotating the cylinder, means for connecting and disconnecting the driven mechanism with respect to its source of power, means for centering and locking the cylinder in a centered position and for releasing the cylinder to permit movement from said centered position, connections leading from said last two mentioned means to a common control device, and manually operable means connected to said common control device for first disconnecting said driving mechanism from its source of power to stop the rotation of the cylinder and to thereafter center and lock the cylinder.

2. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a rotatable cylinder therein, a switch controlled source of power, driving mechanism between said power and the cylinder for rotating the cylinder in the easing, a control lever, a dog shiftable by said lever, a drivin connection between the dog and said cylin er for reciprocating said dog, a second dog, a connection between said second dog and the switch for the source of power, and means for connectingsaid do s upon'the shifting of the first dog toward tl e second by the actuation of said control lever, whereby the switch is actuated by the rotation of the driven cylinder.

3. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder disposed therein, power means for lifting the cylinder from the casing, comprising a motor, driving connections between the motor and the cylinder, a control lever for said connections, and

means driven by said driving connections for automatically stop ing the motor drive when the cylinder reaciies the limit of either its outward or inward position with reference to the casing.

4. Ina washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a cylinder disposed 5 tions, means driven by said drivin connections for automatically stopping t e motor drive when the cylinder reaches the limit of either its outward or inward position, said means comprising a travelin element operable by the driving means or raising said cylinder, and a switch adjacent the limit of movement of said element in either direction.

5. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a washing cylinder therein, a source of power, driving mechanism be tween said source of power and said cylinder for rotatingthe cylinder, a control for the a source of power, comprising a control lever, 20

, parts, one connected with the cylinder to be a pair of connectable and disconnectable actuated thereby and the other connected with the source of power for controlling the same, and a connection between said lever and one of said parts for moving said parts into connected relation whereby one is driven by the other.

6. In a washing machine, the combination with acasing, of a washing cylinder therein, a source of power, driving mechanism --between said source of power and said cylinder for rotating the cylinder, a control for the source of power, including a control lever, a pair of connectable and disconnectable parts, one connected with the cylinder for movement therewith and the other with the source of power, a connection between said lever and one of said parts for-moving said parts into connected relation whereby one is driven by the-other when the lever is moved in one direction, and means operated by a movement of the lever in another-direction 'for locking the cylinder in a predetermined position. e I

7. In a control device for a machine of the character described, the combination with a lever, of a pair of loosely mounted selectively interlockable 'parts means connecting one of said parts with a driven element for operating said part, means connecting the other 'part with a source of power for controllin the latter,.and means connecting said contro lever with said'part connected with the driven element to move said parts into interlocking relation whereby the part connected with the driven element ,actuates the part connected with the source of power.

8. In a washin machine, the combinationwith-a casing, o a washing cylinder rotatable therein, means for supporting the cylinder for pivotal'movement intoand from the casing, a power driven mechanism'for rotatingsaid cylinder, means for connecting and disconnecting the driven mechanism with respect to its source of power, means for com tering and locking the cylinder in a centered position and for releasing the cylinder to permit movement from said centered position, and control means for said cylinder operable to successively actuate said last two mentioned means.

9. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of washing cylinder rotatable therein, a power driven mechanism for rotating the cylinder, means for connecting and disconnecting the driven mechanism with respect to its source of power, means for centering and locking the cylinder in a centered position and for releasing the cylinder to permit movement from said centered position, and a single manually operable controldevice for actuating said last two mentioned means.

10. In a washing machine, the combination with a casing, of a washing cylinder therein, means pivotally sup orting the cylinder for movement into and rom the casing, a source of power,. driving mechanism between said source of power and the cylinder for rotating the cylinder in the casing, means for disconnecting the cylinder from the source of power, means driven by the rotation of the tuating said common 'operatin device when connected thereto and a lever fin controlling the connection between the common operatin device and its actuating means.

11 testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EMANUEL J. ,PERRY. 

